All season long I’ve thought of the Washington Nationals as the most disappointing team in baseball. As difficult as the Orioles season has been, I kept thinking about the lofty preseason expectations for the Nats and how poorly they have performed.
“World Series or bust,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson told reporters way back in December of 2012. It was sort of joke all season long.
Until now.
As it turns out, the Orioles and Nationals have identical records, 77-69. How’s that for some Friday the 13th weirdness?
Oh, it gets even crazier.
Both the O’s and the Nats are 11 games out of first place in their respective divisions.
Insane.
Exactly a month ago, the Orioles were 65-53, while the Nats were 57-60. Since August 12, the O’s have gone 12-16, while Washington has gone 20-9.
There’s you’re difference right there.
Despite their recent hot streak, Washington will likely still fall short of the Wild Card, as they are 5.5 games back. Baltimore surprisingly remains just 2.5 games back. The Nationals have just Cincinnati in their way with the Pirates and Cardinals in the NL Central. Baltimore is now tied with the Royals and are behind the Indians and Yankees who are trailing the Rangers and Rays for the AL Wild Card spots.
In their last 32 games, the Nats have played a grand total of 6 games against teams with a plus .500 record. In their last 32 games the O’s have played 23 games against teams that are over .500. THER’ES your difference.
The other difference is most experts had the Nats “IN” the World Series. Most experts expected the O’s to fall way off. Although I am disappointed that the team will likely miss the postseason, there is still hope. To be a World Series contender and just “have hope” has got to be disappointing to a Nats’ fan.